That's Gneiss! #63 ~ GET RID, GET RID, GET RID
I’ve been delaying finalizing today’s newsletter while waiting for official word on whether we’ve been approved for a rental home we looked at yesterday. I logged into our application account and it says “APPROVED” so for now I’m going with that. I think we haven’t heard any more because it’s Sunday. I’m expecting to have to do a bunch of running around and banking business tomorrow, as we have to get the deposit and lease signed, etc. etc.
It’s all very exciting, and a bit scary too.
Without further ado…
It’s a cute little house, isn’t it? It’s smaller than where we are now - both the house and yard. The greenery has been trimmed back a bit so it’s not as grown over as this photo from Google street view. It will take some getting used to, and now that I know where we’re headed I’m being even more brutal with my purge of possessions.
GET RID, GET RID, GET RID.
I find it ironic that I’m going through this process at the same time that Marie Kondo’s method for tidying up is hitting the big time. I have not read her book or watched her Netflix show, and have no intention of doing so. I just have a lot of crap to get rid of, and it’s a good feeling as I make progress. I did get a kick out of this article from the viewpoint of the people who will benefit from the collective purge of possessions:
Get in Losers, We’re Going Thrifting
I won’t lie, I’m looking forward to checking out the new thrifting opportunities in Everett. For now however, it’s time for me to liven up the offerings here in Oak Harbor.
Before moving on I do want to comment on the application process for this house. We had an appointment at 3:00 pm yesterday afternoon, and after a quick perusal decided that the house would work just fine for us. The leasing agent was honest, and told us that there had been a lot of interest in the house so far. If we decided to apply, we would know that somebody had beat us to it when we got to the place where you pay the application fee - it wouldn’t take our money.
The idea that somebody might apply ahead of us made us a little loopy, and it didn’t help that there was another family coming to look at the house right after us. We had an hour+ drive home ahead of us before we could even get started on the application!
I had the brilliant idea that we should stop at a library along the way and fill out the application - it was great in theory, but Michael would need to get into his email and he couldn’t remember his password! Heh. So we drove on home, and calmed down a but along the way - if we didn’t get the house, we didn’t get it.
The application itself was a bit fussy, but I finally got to the payment page and VOILA! It took our money. Nobody else had managed the minefield of the application ahead of us.
WE WON THE TECHNOLOGY SKILLS PRIZE
But always, always we are keeping the eye on the real prize.
My commute to work will be less than 15 minutes, and we won’t be living in Oak Harbor any more.
Things are going to move really fast now, and there is of course the house to sell. The first steps have been taken for that too.
We will survive, but the next month is going to be wild!
GET RID, GET RID, GET RID.
Another big thing is happening now as well - Nolan and Mia started another big journey yesterday! They’re on the first leg of their trip to Southeast Asia - currently on a layover in Xiamen, China for several hours before heading on to Singapore. The 7-week trip will include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and maybe Laos. I will share updates and photos each week as they send them so we can live vicariously through them.
No photos from this trip yet, but here is one of my favorites from their trip to South Africa two years ago - a highly poisonous grasshopper!
I can only imagine what wonders they will see on this trip.
Cheers!
Tidbits
Should you be into such things, I present to you the London Medieval Murder Map - it’s interactive! (via The Map Room)
Looking to diversify your reading this year? Check out this list of Latin American writers as an alternative to the literary canon.
Perhaps you’re looking for some new sci-fi and fantasy to read.
Something happy - including very bouncy splits!
Another happy thing - dancing!
Recently eaten: we’re remembering to eat.
Making: a big dent in packing! I did take the time to carve one more stamp before packing all of my carving tools and ink away. No distractions!
Reading: I’ve downgraded my reading goal for the year - going for quality over quantity. The impending move is making a big cut in my reading time too. I did finish listening to Me Talk Pretty One Day, which I adored. Eric Idle’s autobiography is up next for my in-car listening.
Videos of the Week
Have you ever listened to Porter Wagoner? No - I mean REALLY listen. some of his songs are a trip.
And now, in color - it’s The Porter Wagoner Show! Those Nudie Suits are something else. The Chet Atkins songs are worth a listen - the “humor” is… very 1967.
Question of the Week
Just hit reply to send your answer, and I’ll share it next week. Always anonymous!
What possessions do you have that would survive a purge for decluttering or moving?
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Last week I asked if there are any regional dishes where you live that others may find unappetizing.
Because of a rise in the non native Iguana population that is resulting in the eradication of native species. We eat Iguana now. Same for the Lion fish which was formally known as a fish tank fish that is now destroying the reefs.
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